Dear Editor
I probably was one of the first persons to write ( emailed) the Minister of Amerindian Affairs on the idea of a hostel/dormitory for people (Amerindian/Non Amerindian) of the hinterland who are attending technical colleges/teachers’ college/University of Guyana a few years ago. I was/am happy that that idea is being debated currently at the parliament.
Another idea which I also shared with the Minister is the scholarship for persons who are gifted in sports that is now, I think, being worked out with the Ministry of Sports. This idea can bring out our natural cricketers, athletes, footballers, swimmers, archers,and so on.
My idea, however, was not about scholarships in sports but a hope of a first Olympic medal at an Olympics if we can utilise our natural men and women in archery ( the Minister responded to this). For this idea, I personally volunteered to purchase professional archer’s bows and arrows.
I also raised the idea of having a professional guardian ( Social Worker/ Student Counsellor) for the Children Hostel at St. Ignatius ( where I stayed during my scholarship stint at St. Ignatius Secondary School).
The dormitory/hostel idea (I am not saying that the idea was born from me) came about as a result of my struggle for accommodation during my final year at the University. Looking beyond my situation I realised that there were others roughing it in the same boat with me.
I pictured the hostel/dormitory equipped with a library/computers/internet service for the students to do their research/study. I also saw that dormitory having a large plot of land for gardening/ agricultural activities where the students can grow their own vegetables/ ground provisions – cassava – or mind chickens for eggs/meat. This idea was an extension of what we did at St. Ignatius hostel under our late adopted mother – Mrs Josephine Nieuenkirk.
I think my choice of staying at St. Ignatius Secondary was a wise decision because I would have felt like a fish taken out of the mighty Rupununi river. I saw many students from the Pakaraimas suffer from home sickness. We from the Rupununi were fortunate that our parents could have visited us from time to time. Later on as we got older we rode our bicycles home.
I cannot imagine being housed at a stranger in Georgetown in the eleventh year of my life. I probably would have run home as many probably did.
Those sent to President’s College should stay there because there are already dormitories and live-in teachers who can assist them with their studies.
Yours faithfully,
Guy Marco
